by Roy Glenn
She yawned and eased herself into an upright position then stretched. She reached for her cell phone to check for missed calls. When she left the house the night before, Scott called her so many times that she finally turned the ringer off. As she expected, Scott had been calling her all night long. When she checked her messages, there were several from Scott. They were all pretty much the same; him accusing Panthea of killing Abril Arrington and swearing he’d see her pay for it.
Panthea pressed end, turned off her phone so she wouldn’t be annoyed with Scott’s calls and tried to put all of his angry words behind her. She swung her feet onto the floor and paddled her way into the bathroom. She smiled at the deep marble bath, separate glass shower, and then noticed the wonderful toiletries and plentiful towels.
After a long and refreshing shower, Panthea emerged energized and excited about the day ahead. Wrapped in one of the hotel’s thick and luxurious robes, she sat at the edge of the bed and dialed Marcus’s number.
“H—hello?” his groggy voice answered.
“Rise and shine sleepy head,” she sang into the phone like it was mid-afternoon, instead of early morning.
“Wwwhat time is it?”
“Oh, it’s already seven-thirty. I figured I’d let you sleep in a bit. You can thank me later. But now it’s time to rise and shine,” she sang again, far too enthusiastically for Marcus’s taste, but he wasn’t about to complain. He rose from his slumber and shook the sleepy sound from his voice.
Before Marcus could fully get his bearings, Panthea began to speak again. “It’s going to be a gorgeous day. I’ve already checked the weather channel. And I really don’t feel up to spending it cooped up in this room alone.”
Marcus could hear her pouting through the phone, and he found himself weakening at the sound of her voice. She already knew how to get to him, he thought.
“Okay, Mrs. Daniels. What’s your pleasure today? What do you feel like doing on this gorgeous day?”
“I don’t know really. I just know I don’t want to spend the day all locked up in this room. It’s a nice room, very nice actually, but I just want to go out and enjoy the day,” she admitted.
“Okay, so you want to go out and do something,” Marcus said.
“Yes, maybe we could go to a park, go for a carriage ride downtown, or have lunch somewhere and just enjoy this gorgeous day,” she offered.
“Well, let’s see. Lunch and a carriage ride? That actually sounds pretty good to me,” Marcus said.
“Oh, Marcus, I know what I would really like for us to do?”
“What’s that, Panthea?”
“I wanna go to the beach,” Panthea said and visions of them playing in the water danced in her head. “But I had to surrender my passport, so I guess we can’t jet away to the islands.”
“No, Panthea, I’m afraid we can’t.”
“I know,” she said sadly. “But I’ve always wanted to have a picnic on the beach,” she said with excitement suddenly returning to her voice. “I mean think about it. We could pack a basket, go select some fine wine, take a blanket and just enjoy this wonderful day. Do you like being near the water? I find it really relaxes me.”
“I love the water, Panthea. I think I like saying your name.”
“I like hearing you say it,” Panthea cooed. “Anyway,” she said quickly before she said what else she’d like. “I’m sure we can find something to do here in town.”
“No. A picnic on the beach it is,” Marcus announced.
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” Marcus confirmed.
“How are you going to arrange that? You have a private plane or something like that?”
“No,” Marcus said briefly giving some thought to chartering a plane for her. He wanted to be with her and wondered just how far he would go to have her. “I was thinking more about us driving to Tybee Island.”
“Savannah! I’ve never been there. How long will it take to get there?” Panthea asked, aroused by the possibilities.
“We could be there in four hours, and since it’ so early—”
“Hey, you did say call you at any hour. That’s what you said.”
After hanging up the phone with Panthea, a smile found its way to his face. A week ago, if you’d told him he’d be spending the day with a beautiful woman like Panthea Daniels, he might’ve called you a fool for playing games. But on this day as he made his way to the bathroom whistling, he was actually excited about the day ahead—their day.
Four hours later, Marcus and Panthea pulled into a Super Wal-Mart on Highway 80 in Savannah. “We’ll go in here and pick up everything we need for this picnic. And I want you to find an actual picnic basket,” he said.
“That’s something I’m sure I can do. After all, Walmart has everything, right?”
“Now, we’re not here to spend hours shopping. In and out like a robbery is what we want,” Marcus told her.
“No, you didn’t just quote 2Pac?”
“Anyway.” Marcus smiled at Panthea and looked at her eyes and her smiled. “The more time we’re in here, the less time we’re on the beach. We’re here to find what we need and get to Tybee Island as quickly as possible.”
Marcus would’ve given millions for the smile that stretched across Panthea’s beautiful face. He vowed at that moment to do whatever it took to keep her smiling or to bring it back when it disappeared.
“Thirty minutes, that’s the max,” he pressed, using an index finger to emphasize his words.
“Thirty,” Panthea repeated, proving she understood. She sat and waited for him to come and open her car door. She could hardly contain her giddy excitement.
Once they walked into the massive store, Marcus decided to share the game plan. “You go to the left, I’m going to the right, and we meet at register fourteen in thirty minutes or less agreed?”
“Agreed.”
Twenty minutes later, they met at the register and moved through the checkout quickly.
“Got everything, Panthea?” Marcus asked as the salesclerk scanned their last item. When they agreed they had everything they needed, he paid, grabbed the bags and they headed off on their adventure.
Marcus drove the twenty minutes from Savannah to Tybee Island.
“There are five miles of beaches backed by sand dunes that are perfect for people-watching and frolicking in the sand and surf of the grand Atlantic Ocean,” Marcus read from the guidebook he had picked up at Walmart.
“I can’t wait,” Panthea said excitedly.
She was so glad he was looking forward to their day as much as she was. Each time he heard the excitement in her voice, it thrilled him. Marcus felt good knowing he was able to brighten her day.
They began their adventure with an hour-long boat cruise. Everywhere Panthea looked, beach-goers were taking advantage of the glorious day. Some were fishing, kayaking, and even bike riding. She took a deep breath, inhaling as much of the salt-water aroma her lungs could hold, and once again gave thanks for her time with Marcus. When they got off the boat, they set up their picnic and enjoyed a meal of fried chicken and potato salad, and then ventured over to the Tybee Marine Science Center.
By the end of their day, as Marcus was gathering their belongings, something caught his eye. He looked toward the ocean and said, “Is that what I think it is?”
Panthea turned to see dolphins swimming a short distance from the shore. “This has been an absolutely perfect day,” she declared.
“Oh, it’s not even near over yet, Mrs. Daniels.”
Panthea’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “You mean there’s more?”
As they walked to the car, Panthea could hardly control her heart rate. Marcus had done enough to make her day perfect, but here he was going above and beyond. As he held the door open for her to climb inside, Panthea eased back in his bucket leather seat and gave herself permission to enjoy whatever might be next on their agenda.
“The Olde Pink House is one of the most romantic restaurants in
Savannah,” Marcus said as he pulled into a parking space. “I think you’ll really enjoy the food here.”
“More food?” she joked, feigning disappointment.
“Oh, I thought dinner would be the perfect end to a perfect day,” Marcus said as he slid behind the wheel and looked at Panthea. It had been nearly four hours since they had lunch, and he was a bit hungry, but didn’t want to force her to eat if she wasn’t.
“I’m only kidding with you, Marcus. Of course we can cap this perfect day with a romantic meal and excellent dinner conversation,” she suggested.
About an hour later, they were enjoying dessert at a table on the second floor overlooking Reynolds Square. Panthea sat marveling at the outstanding service and even better company. “I’ve been thinking about your case, and here’s what we need to do—”
Panthea wrinkled her nose, and cut him off. “I don’t want to talk about that now,” she whined. “Let me pretend I have no worries. I mean just for this short time we have together?” she begged.
Marcus studied her for a second and nodded.
Panthea batted her lashes and blushed. “Besides, there’s something else I’d like to talk to you about.”
As she spoke, Marcus marveled at the power of make-up. He could hardly tell where her bruises were, but the mental picture he had taken was a constant reminder. Despite that, she still looked beautiful. Panthea put her spoon down and gazed up at Marcus.
“I need to be honest with you about something,” she said uneasily.
The friendliness vanished from Marcus’s face. Worry lines began to appear as Panthea hesitated before continuing. “What is it?” he pressed the second he sensed her reluctance.
“I really don’t know how to say this,” she began again.
Marcus swallowed dry and hard. His mind was racing with thoughts of what she could possibly want to say. He told himself this could be a turning point in this new friendship of theirs.
“Just cut straight to it,” he said sternly.
Sensing the change in his demeanor, Panthea almost wished she hadn’t brought it up in the first place, but knew she couldn’t leave him hanging.
“Well the truth is,” Panthea exhaled. “I am very attracted to you. I mean, very attracted to you,” she admitted.
Marcus’s eyebrows inched upward and his features softened. She noticed a smile ease across his lips, and he too released a sigh.
“Is that it? I mean, that’s what you wanted to tell me the truth about?”
When she nodded, he laughed a bit.
“Well, if that’s the case, I’ve been attracted to you from the moment you came sashaying into my office demanding a meeting with me. As a matter of fact, that image, the one of your hips swaying like they’re moving to their own rhythm, that’s the image I’ve fallen asleep to every night since that moment.”
Panthea smiled. “You say the sweetest things to me.”
Marcus paid their bill and pulled her chair out.
“Let’s head back to the city, Mrs. Daniels.”
She smiled, linked her arm into his on the way out of the restaurant, and pretended that he was the only man in her life.
12
“Oh my God,” Panthea squealed as they walked back to the car. She tugged on Marcus’s sleeve to get his attention, “Do you see that? That’s an absolutely gorgeous sunset,” she said, pointing toward the dazzling color spectrum dancing over the horizon. Marcus stopped walking to appreciate the view.
“I don’t want to leave,” Panthea announced and jumped in front of him mimicking an excited child. “I think we should stay. I mean, I’m not really up for the drive back to Atlanta tonight,” she said and laid out her case for his scrutiny.
So many thoughts started running through his mind. Marcus knew what might happen if they really did decide to stay. The distinct possibility did exist that he would end up in bed with another man’s wife. Another man’s wife that just happens to be your client, Marcus thought. Aside from the fact that what he was doing was completely unethical, that’s exactly what he was looking forward to doing, being alone with Panthea Daniels.
“Are you sure about that?” he studied her closely.
Panthea nodded. “I am. I just don’t want this day to end. I know what you’re probably thinking, but I just feel like the longer we stay here, the more time I can enjoy this sense of freedom.”
“I understand,” Marcus assured her.
“Do you really?”
He nodded. “Well, since we’re staying, why don’t we go for a walk along the waterfront, that way we can enjoy this sunset to the fullest? Afterwards, I’ll find a place for us to lay our heads. How does that sound?”
“That sounds absolutely perfect to me,” Panthea said. “Just perfect. The perfect end to this absolutely perfect day.”
Later that evening, Marcus and Panthea strolled into the Hilton Garden Inn in the historic part of Savannah. “Separate rooms,” she warned as he left her in the lobby. “I am still a married woman, you know, Mr. Douglas,” she added.
Marcus smirked over his shoulder as he went to make their arrangements. When he returned, he looked at Panthea and held out two different keys.
“They only have two rooms left. Do you want the good or bad news first?”
Panthea’s eyebrow slowly crept upward. “Good or bad news? Hmm, it’s so hard to choose,” she said, bringing a finger to her lips.
“Okay, since you can’t decide, I’ll just break it to you. They only have two rooms left, one’s a suite and the other is their regular guestroom,” Marcus smiled.
Panthea sucked her teeth and crossed her arms at her chest. If she took the suite, she’d seem greedy. Panthea took the regular guestroom key from him and turned to leave.
They made their way to the elevators. “So, Mrs. Daniels, I believe that should be enough distance to make you feel safe,” Marcus offered.
She moved to one corner of the elevator and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Douglas, like I said, I am still a married woman, so I thank you for the separate rooms.”
He smiled and when the elevator doors opened again on the sixth floor, they stepped off and walked away in different directions. At her room door, Panthea glanced down the hall to see Marcus smiling as he entered his room.
Panthea’s room was done in a warm combination of brown and beige. Her surroundings were comfortable enough, but each time she tried to get settled, her mind would linger to thoughts of what was happening down the hall.
What was Marcus doing?
Was he thinking about her?
She flicked on the TV and tried to concentrate on the HBO program, but finally gave up after a few minutes. Despite how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop fidgeting. One minute she was sitting on the bed, the next she was on the wing chair, then she was up and pacing.
“Damn, we’re both adults here,” Panthea said aloud.
Frustrated with the sense of loneliness she was fighting, Panthea grabbed her purse and room key then stormed out of there. She was about to go and give Marcus a piece of her mind. Just because she didn’t want to share a room didn’t mean she was ready for their evening to end, and she was prepared to let him know how shallow his actions were. It was as if her reluctance to show him some action meant the evening had come to an abrupt end.
As she walked up to his room, she tried to listen for any signs or sounds that might indicate what he might be doing behind the door, but she couldn’t hear a thing.
Before losing her nerve, she started knocking and stood with her arms crossed at her chest and one-foot tapping on the floor. Panthea was poised for a confrontation.
When he didn’t answer right away, she knocked again, more irritated than before.
When Marcus finally pulled the door open, wearing a towel and droplets of water all over his body, Panthea suddenly began to lose her nerve.
“Oh, you’re in the shower,” she said, trying not to lust over his body so obviously.
“Yeah, did you need something?�
� Marcus asked.
Suddenly Panthea realized all of her courage had disappeared. She no longer had the desire to light into him about his petty behavior. It was in the past, she had told herself once she saw his muscles flinch.
When he stepped aside and said, “Here, why don’t you come in. I’m freezing, you know with the water and all.”
She didn’t hesitate to walk inside his room. Panthea looked around. She knew she had entered the danger zone, but she didn’t mind the temptation. After all, she knew she was quite capable of holding her own.
“Ah, I can’t believe this room. It’s like twice the size of mine,” she said as Marcus went back to the bathroom.
“Then you don’t even want to come in here and see this bathroom,” Marcus yelled trying to talk above the sound of the shower.
“Is that right,” she yelled back.
“Oh, yeah, it’s awful in here. I mean, hardly enough room for me to move around.”
Panthea immediately sauntered into the bathroom where her breath was nearly taken away. She wasn’t sure if it was the sight of marble trimmings or the silken look of Marcus’s lean body through the glass shower door. The water gave his skin a glistening appearance. He didn’t even flinch when he turned to find her standing there.
When their eyes met, it was as if she was under a spell she didn’t attempt to fight. She gave in like a lightweight going down for the count. He watched as she stripped down to nothing and opened the shower door.
“What took you so long?” he asked as his mouth cupped hers.
Marcus’s tongue attacked hers with fury. Panthea was dripping wet before water even touched her skin. After that kiss, she could feel the river flowing between her thighs, and she just wanted him to end her sweet torture.
Marcus’s powerful hands slid from her breasts to her hips to her ass and back up to her breasts again. He squeezed them like they deserved firm handling, and only he could see that they got what they deserved what she needed.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment,” he muttered.
Panthea was astonished at the ease with which she submitted to his affection. She felt hungry, near desperation for more from him.
